Thinking Zone

11/12/2023

11/12/2023

11/12/2023

11/12/2023

11/12/2023

11/12/2023

04/08/2023

May Easter Blessings be yours as spring begins to take over this season!

10/30/2022

I do not give Facebook, or any entities associated with Facebook, permission to use my pictures, information, messages or posts, both past and future. With this statement, I give notice to Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents.

08/07/2022

As the new school year is about to begin, teachers will do well to remember Teaching Rule Number 1: Be good to yourself. Taking care of yourself will enable you to be responsive to your students’ needs; teachers who are good to themselves deliver the best teaching. The biggest source of stress in a teaching job will be unrealistic expectations, so don’t expect everything to go perfectly or to be mistake-free. Perfection is an unrealistic and unattainable goal. Because we can’t do everything, we shouldn’t try. According to Rick Smith in his book Conscious Classroom Management (2004), “If we allow ourselves the ‘room’ to be people who have feelings and imperfections, while still keeping focused on our goals as professionals, our students will receive the message that it’s okay to take risks, explore, and make mistakes in the classroom” (31). His Recipe for Learning on page 219 is a good one:
Start with a willingness to take risks;
Add a healthy portion of fun;
Throw in a willingness to be lost;
Top it off with a willingness to be frustrated;
Blend together and heat until done.
The end result is wonder.
Mistakes, frustration, and failure are all part of the learning process—for us as well as for our students. When we embrace frustration, it can propel us into learning and wonder. Here’s wishing all teachers and students a magical year!

04/21/2022

One of life’s mysteries, the paradox reminds us that life is not black and white but lived in the gray areas. For example, like one of those popular-during-Halloween glow sticks, we have to be broken in order to be fully effective. Sometimes we have to get sick, lose a job, endure divorce, or bury our spouse, parents, best friend, or even our child. In those moments of deepest desperation, we are broken. But, after the breaking, through God’s grace, prayer’s power, and the support of friends and family, we eventually reach a point where we are able to see the reason for which we were created—to make magic, uplift others, and change the world.

Although we are all created to glow, some people are content just “being.” Others are chosen to be “broken.” So when you see someone glowing, just know that they have been broken.

02/05/2022

“Cancel culture,” as a concept, currently feels inescapable. This is a worrisome condition, one that may have unintended consequences unless we use the idea as an educational moment. Check out my current blog post at www.thinkingzone.org for ideas on how to help students understand and respond to cultural issues.

11/10/2021

With one quarter of school in the record books, some of you parents may be looking for an academic tutor for your child(ren). I am available for $30.00/hour (plus possible travel costs). Call Dr. Donna Miller at 406-357-4282.